Monday Night Football. The biggest stage in the NFL, despite it's relatively new digs on ESPN. Two of the marquee teams in the league, both playing at a high level.
What more could one ask for?
In light of this matchup I thought I would provide some Redskins MNF history -- not all of it good -- but hopefully most of it entertaining. Ready, begin.
The Redskins have played on 56 Monday nights, with a record of 27-29, a .482 winning percentage. By contrast, their opponent, the Steelers, have played in 57 and are 35-22, a .614 clip. Ok, that's enough black and gold for one column. Save to say that I am reasonably confident their percentage will stand at .603 by game's end tomorrow night. You do the math.
The first time the Redskins appeared on MNF was October 19, 1970. They lost that game to the Oakland Raiders 34-20. Their last appearance was last year at Lincoln Financial Field, a game they won over the Eagles 20-12. In between they have played some memorable contests, a few of which I would like to highlight here (courtesy of the Redskins History Database).
October 8, 1973:
The Skins hosted their hated rivals the Cowboys at RFK stadium. Trailing 7-0 for most of the game, Sonny Jurgensen finally hit Charley Taylor for a one-yard TD pass (not the longest for either man to be sure) in the 4th quarter to tie the game. A little over a minute later Brig Owens returned an INT for a second touchdown to take the lead. With the clock ticking down, the Cowboys were forced to punt, but a bad bounce gave them the ball back with a chance to tie. The final play of the game will forever be remembered in Redskins lore, as Ken Houston stopped Walt Garrison with a textbook tackle on the 1 yard line on 4th down to preserve the win.
Redskins 14-7.
October 17, 1983:
The Redskins and the Pack squared off at Lambeau Field in what is still the highest scoring game in MNF history. The game featured 1,025 yards of total offense, 56 first downs, and 17 scores. It was a seesaw offensive war, with both teams taking turns reclaiming the lead at various points during the game. In the end, a missed Mark Moseley 39 yard FG attempt with 3 seconds left gave Green Bay the win. As entertaining a game as has ever been on a Monday, if you ask me.
Packers 48-47.
November 18, 1985:
Hosting the Giants at RFK in a matchup of NFC East powerhouses, things could not have seemed more bleak for Redskins faithful when Lawrence Taylor gruesomely broke Joe Theismann's leg on a sack in the 1st half. In went unknown Jay Schroeder, who promptly fired off a long completion to Art Monk; although a fumble cost them a chance to score on that drive, the kid had sent a message to the Giants defense: you don't know me, but I'm not afraid of you. Trailing by a touchdown in the final quarter, Schroeder led the Skins on a long FG drive to pull within 4 points. After a second successful onside kick was recovered -- yes, children, the great Joe Gibbs was once as free-wheeling as a riverboat gambler -- the Skins drove for the go-ahead TD, then held off the Giants to secure the victory. On that night the backup QB who hadn't wanted to play in the NFL until his pro baseball career stalled out was a calm, cool and collected 13 of 20 for 221 yards. In less than a full game. Against the best defense in the league.
Redskins 23-21.
November 20, 2000:
Playing at the Trans World Dome against the Greatest Show on Turf in their heyday, the Redskins seemed overmatched right out of the gate. Less than six minutes into the game the Rams were up 10-0 and it looked like it would be a long night. But a funny thing happened on the way to the blowout. Once again a backup QB (Jeff George this time) came to the rescue. Once again a head coach, guy by the name of Turner, went against the grain and called for an onside kick...which worked. And on a night they should have lost, the team -- led by a couple of stars and a couple of veteran journeymen -- found a way to win going away. It would prove to be one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season.
Redskins 33-20.
September 19, 2005:
Symmetry in all things, my friends. As it began so shall it end, with a win over the Cowboys. And what a win it was. The Monday Night Miracle. Playing 3 1/2 plus quarters of uninspired football at Texas Stadium, down 13-0 late in the game...it was over. The Skins were done. Cooked. Kaput. Then lightning struck, not once but twice, in the form of two long bombs from Mark Brunell to Santana Moss. Victory was improbably, inconceivably snatched from the jaws of defeat. Hell, victory was pretty much over the lips, past the gums, look out stomach here she comes -- except it never did. Not for the Cowboys it didn't.
Redskins 14-13.
These are but a few memorable moments in our beloved team's Monday night archives. Here's hoping for a few more during the course of tomorrow's game against Pittsburgh. I don't know about you, but all my rowdy Redskin friends are coming over Monday Night.
What more could one ask for?
In light of this matchup I thought I would provide some Redskins MNF history -- not all of it good -- but hopefully most of it entertaining. Ready, begin.
The Redskins have played on 56 Monday nights, with a record of 27-29, a .482 winning percentage. By contrast, their opponent, the Steelers, have played in 57 and are 35-22, a .614 clip. Ok, that's enough black and gold for one column. Save to say that I am reasonably confident their percentage will stand at .603 by game's end tomorrow night. You do the math.
The first time the Redskins appeared on MNF was October 19, 1970. They lost that game to the Oakland Raiders 34-20. Their last appearance was last year at Lincoln Financial Field, a game they won over the Eagles 20-12. In between they have played some memorable contests, a few of which I would like to highlight here (courtesy of the Redskins History Database).
October 8, 1973:
The Skins hosted their hated rivals the Cowboys at RFK stadium. Trailing 7-0 for most of the game, Sonny Jurgensen finally hit Charley Taylor for a one-yard TD pass (not the longest for either man to be sure) in the 4th quarter to tie the game. A little over a minute later Brig Owens returned an INT for a second touchdown to take the lead. With the clock ticking down, the Cowboys were forced to punt, but a bad bounce gave them the ball back with a chance to tie. The final play of the game will forever be remembered in Redskins lore, as Ken Houston stopped Walt Garrison with a textbook tackle on the 1 yard line on 4th down to preserve the win.
Redskins 14-7.
October 17, 1983:
The Redskins and the Pack squared off at Lambeau Field in what is still the highest scoring game in MNF history. The game featured 1,025 yards of total offense, 56 first downs, and 17 scores. It was a seesaw offensive war, with both teams taking turns reclaiming the lead at various points during the game. In the end, a missed Mark Moseley 39 yard FG attempt with 3 seconds left gave Green Bay the win. As entertaining a game as has ever been on a Monday, if you ask me.
Packers 48-47.
November 18, 1985:
Hosting the Giants at RFK in a matchup of NFC East powerhouses, things could not have seemed more bleak for Redskins faithful when Lawrence Taylor gruesomely broke Joe Theismann's leg on a sack in the 1st half. In went unknown Jay Schroeder, who promptly fired off a long completion to Art Monk; although a fumble cost them a chance to score on that drive, the kid had sent a message to the Giants defense: you don't know me, but I'm not afraid of you. Trailing by a touchdown in the final quarter, Schroeder led the Skins on a long FG drive to pull within 4 points. After a second successful onside kick was recovered -- yes, children, the great Joe Gibbs was once as free-wheeling as a riverboat gambler -- the Skins drove for the go-ahead TD, then held off the Giants to secure the victory. On that night the backup QB who hadn't wanted to play in the NFL until his pro baseball career stalled out was a calm, cool and collected 13 of 20 for 221 yards. In less than a full game. Against the best defense in the league.
Redskins 23-21.
November 20, 2000:
Playing at the Trans World Dome against the Greatest Show on Turf in their heyday, the Redskins seemed overmatched right out of the gate. Less than six minutes into the game the Rams were up 10-0 and it looked like it would be a long night. But a funny thing happened on the way to the blowout. Once again a backup QB (Jeff George this time) came to the rescue. Once again a head coach, guy by the name of Turner, went against the grain and called for an onside kick...which worked. And on a night they should have lost, the team -- led by a couple of stars and a couple of veteran journeymen -- found a way to win going away. It would prove to be one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season.
Redskins 33-20.
September 19, 2005:
Symmetry in all things, my friends. As it began so shall it end, with a win over the Cowboys. And what a win it was. The Monday Night Miracle. Playing 3 1/2 plus quarters of uninspired football at Texas Stadium, down 13-0 late in the game...it was over. The Skins were done. Cooked. Kaput. Then lightning struck, not once but twice, in the form of two long bombs from Mark Brunell to Santana Moss. Victory was improbably, inconceivably snatched from the jaws of defeat. Hell, victory was pretty much over the lips, past the gums, look out stomach here she comes -- except it never did. Not for the Cowboys it didn't.
Redskins 14-13.
These are but a few memorable moments in our beloved team's Monday night archives. Here's hoping for a few more during the course of tomorrow's game against Pittsburgh. I don't know about you, but all my rowdy Redskin friends are coming over Monday Night.
0 comments:
Post a Comment